“Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Climate Change Impacts and Heritage-Based Solutions”

UNESCO World Heritage sites are not only important cultural landmarks but also serve as crucial indicators of the impacts of climate change on our heritage. These sites are valuable resources for traditional knowledge and practices, showcasing heritage-based solutions and strategies for sustainable futures. UNESCO has been at the forefront of collecting data and evidence on how climate change is affecting culture through the World Heritage Canopy platform.

As the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) takes place, the experiences of World Heritage sites offer vital evidence and pathways to support UNESCO Member States in their climate actions at local and national levels. For the first time, case studies with site-level evidence on climate change’s impact on culture have been globally collected through the World Heritage Canopy platform. These studies highlight the importance of traditional and indigenous knowledge, management, and practices in preserving our cultural heritage.

Climate change poses a significant threat to both natural and cultural heritage sites, with one in three natural sites and one in six cultural sites currently at risk. Recent events have shown how wildfires, floods, storms, and other climate-related impacts are endangering UNESCO World Heritage sites worldwide. The melting of glaciers in these sites is accelerating, with a third of them projected to disappear by 2050 unless global temperatures are kept below a 1.5°C increase compared to pre-industrial levels.

In response to these challenges, UNESCO is working to enhance countries’ and communities’ capacities to prepare for and recover from climate change impacts. The organization is also leveraging culture for climate action, recognizing its potential for mitigation and adaptation efforts. By collaborating with partners and Member States, UNESCO aims to monitor climate change impacts on heritage more effectively and develop inclusive policies for climate action through culture.

UNesco is committed to integrating culture into climate action strategies, viewing it as a shared global asset that must be safeguarded from climate change effects. By harnessing culture as a tool for resilience and adaptation, UNESCO aims to build a sustainable future that protects our heritage for generations to come. Through initiatives like the World Heritage Canopy platform and collaborations with global partners, UNESCO is leading the way in addressing the intersection of culture and climate change.